How do you lure tourists to an area devoid of natural attractions? Build something that's too big for them to ignore. Carla Grossetti stumbles across a giant lobster, huge pineapple and big apple in the Australian outback.

Pining for the slopes in the middle of July? Then head for Australia's snow-capped mountains. Whether you're a wobbly beginner or looking for double-black run action, Carla Grossetti offers a guide to the best ski resorts down under.

Doing the same old thing this New Year? Carla Grossetti skips the ropey renditions of Auld Lang Syne and heads for Ecuador where, between transvestite bandits and 20ft effigies of Osama bin Laden, the celebrations couldn't be more novel.

Nicaragua's heat makes a sombrero mandatory - but once you have one, finds Carla Grossetti, the lakes and jungles of the south are yours to explore. And finding one to begin with can lead you to some extraordinary places...

The sun is out, the sky is blue (for now, at least) and the festival season is upon us once more. Die-hard festival-goer Carla Grossetti takes a look at this summer's carnival calendar, and explains why the combination of music, mayhem and mud draws her back year after year